Annual fire inspections could force Somersworth's hand

By JENNIFER KEEFE

Saturday

Nov 29, 2008 at 3:15 AMNov 29, 2008 at 4:56 AM

SOMERSWORTH — A new law going into effect in January could be bad news for the city, one city resident and employee has warned.

Dan Bisson, president of the architectural firm Team Design that is working with the city on new school plans, handed out copies to city councilors of Senate Bill 376, which would require local fire chiefs to annually inspect all school buildings in their jurisdiction and report to the state fire marshal on the fire safety condition of the buildings.

Hilltop School, whose fate is still up in the air as school and city officials weigh the options of building a new school or renovating the existing building, is already under the watchful eye of the state fire marshal for its code issues and violations.

In late summer 2007, the state fire marshal ordered the top two floors of Hilltop School to be closed to children due to life safety code violations. Three modular classrooms were installed outside and have been in use since.

Currently, the district has conditional approval for non-compliance issues with American Disabilities Act regulations and life safety, which expire in June and will need to be renewed for another year at that time. While extensive plans for the construction of a new, 450-student elementary school have been discussed and voted on, nothing has been decided.

It is the inaction that has Bisson concerned.

"I'm here asking you to make a decision because no decision is going to force the hand," Bisson said. "(The Senate bill) brings to the forefront that buildings are going to be reviewed."

City councilors voted against constructing a new elementary school as several felt there remained unanswered questions about other options. The issue was rehashed at a recent council meeting after Mayor Mike Micucci brought it to the table for discussion.

"We keep coming up with more excuses not to vote on this thing and to keep it around than I've ever seen," said Councilor Marty Pepin. "If we keep going the way we're going, the state's going to close more floors at Hilltop School."

While Pepin has come under fire by some residents of his ward in the hill area for supporting construction of a new school, he said he isn't going against the voters or denying their right to ask questions. He said he is simply "frustrated" with the lack of action and wouldn't be against a renovation of Hilltop School as long as the plan actually takes place.

The issue of escalating costs over time seemed to dominate councilors' and residents' concerns surrounding the debate.

"The longer you don't address a problem and don't do anything, you've made the worst decision possible," said Councilor Mike Watman. He did add the council's guidance to the School Board is largely fiscal, as the School Department is, in the end, in charge of the final decision on this plan.

The new school, which many say is too expensive for the city, is estimated at about $13 million after the reduction of building aid provided by the state. But some, like resident Dan Desantis who spoke during public comment, wonder if the 55 percent aid would still be available considering current economic woes.

Ed Murdough, an official with the state Department of Education, said recently that "historically, when there have been shortfalls, building aid hasn't been touched," adding building aid has always been excluded from any budget cuts made at the DOE. He did say any money the DOE can't fund, if the instance arose, would have to be paid in full to the bank by the school district.

Hilltop School's renovations are estimated by contracting company Bonnett, Page and Stone at $6.3 million before 55 percent building aid, but school officials have tried to stray from that idea in an effort to address other school buildings' space needs issues for students and programming they maintain will not be solved with renovating Hilltop.

Some councilors agree with this thinking.

"Where in the middle school are we going to add classrooms?" asked Councilor Denis Messier. "Where at Maple Wood? I see no need for this community to keep dragging its feet. We need a timeline for when (the School Board) is going to propose a new school. We either need a smaller, new school or the same proposal."

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